"Leaning, Leaning"

Yesterday we said goodbye to Cinque Terre and boarded the train for Tuscany. Along the way we saw the rock candy mountains of Carrara that gave marble to Michelangelo so he could carve David and also supplied marble for the amazing Duomo in Pisa. (I wondered if the mountains might feel just a bit disappointed that now they mostly just give up marble for countertops.) We arrived in Pisa and made the one-hour stroll across the Arno river and through the streets, stopping to have a panini for lunch.
When we first rounded the corner and saw the most famous tower in the world I thought it didn't look too bad - but that's because it was leaning toward me. After getting a better view it was apparent somebody had miscalculated. The tower was begun in 1173 and had three different architects before it was finally finished 200 years later. It leans 15 feet off of vertical. It really is an incredible sight! I wondered why the leaning tower is so famous? Why so many people come to see it? I suspect it may have something to do with the fact that we have all been where those first tower builders were - doing something that, once we got started, we realized we'd made some serious error but we couldn't turn back. And, I suppose, we also love to look at the Leaning Tower of Pisa because - even with some serious miscalculations - it is still standing after 850 years! (Granted, many engineers have made nice livings on the constant efforts required to try and stabilize it so it won't fall down.)
After making goofy pictures where you try to line up the camera and make it seem as if you are either holding the tower up or pushing it down, we went inside the Duomo. Spectacular! It is hard to describe but it is a magnificent work of art! The gilded ceiling is breathtaking and the mosaic floor is indescribable. And everything in between is awe-inspiring! It is truly inspiring to imagine the time and talent and meticulous attention to detail that was poured into this amazing space for worship!
Well, after suffering from serious impression fatigue, we headed back to the train and made our way to Florence. We settled in to the apartment we'll call home for a few days. It is in a building built in 1400!! We walked out to have dinner and gelato, and walked around the Duomo to get a night view of what we plan to try and absorb in more detail today. But, for all the sights we've seen so far, none compares to the one we plan to see today at noon. That's when we will see our daughter, Whitney, as she arrives here in Florence to spend the next week with us!! We are beside ourselves with anticipation!!! Thanks for joining us on our journey!!!